World Bank official says West Timor could impact on aid to Indonesia

October 13, 2000
Web posted at: 2:43 PM HKT (0643 GMT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) -- A top World Bank official on Friday said Indonesia's chances of securing $4.8 billion at next week's donor conference would depend partly on its efforts to rein in violent militia gangs in West Timor.

"It's clear, continued visible progress in this area will be very important to secure the support of some donors," Jemal ud-din Kassum, World Bank vice president for East Asia and the Pacific, told reporters.

Kassum said donors would also expect progress on good governance and economic reform, but did not say whether he was confident pledges would reach $4.8 billion.

"I don't want to prejudge the outcome...we will be working hard to seek a successful outcome," he added.

The World Bank chairs the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) whose members will gather in Tokyo on Tuesday and Wednesday to pledge funds for 2001.

Several donors have expressed concern over West Timor in recent weeks following the murder of three U.N. refugee workers by pro-Jakarta militia in the border town of Atambua last month.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For more ASIANOW news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

See related sites about Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian media sites

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.